Fire alarm system



NQV. 1, 1960 s. s. SCHIMKE 2,958,731

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM Filed March 14, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 00 270 270 i. i. Fig IA Solomon .5. .Sc/r/mke t .4\ 1 T INVENTOR.

Nov, 1, 1960 s. s. SCHIMKE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 14, 1957 INVENTOR.

Fig. IB

Patented Nov. 1, 1960 FIRE ALARM SYSTEM Solomon S. Schimke, Bowdon, N. Dak., assignor of fifty percent to Ernest 'C. Stee, Bismark, N. Dak.

Filed Mar. 14, 1957, Ser. No. 646,115

7 Claims. (Cl. 179- 5) This invention relates to a fire alarm system which is actuated by a telephone operator inserting a switchboard plug into a jack mounted on the switchboard or in any other convenient place. Therefore, when a fire is reported to the telephone operator, the first alarm system comprising the present invention is called just as though the operator were calling an ordinary number. This fire alarm system which may be located in the fire hall or in any other convenient location performs numerous functions.

The primary object and the primary function of the fire alarm system is to set off the fire alarm or siren and to make its own fire code.

Additional objects of the invention reside in the provision of a fire alarm system which is adapted to stop a clock so that the fire department can make an exact record of when the alarm was turned in and how long they were on the run. Further, a fire pump may be turned on if considered necessary, it being realized that this feature of the invention is not required where water is kept under constant pressure in water mains. Additionally, the invention is adapted to turn on the lights in a fire hall while turning on an amplifier over which the telephone operator gives the location of the fire to the firemen thus saving time in getting to the scene of the fire. An amplifier in the telephone ofiice also informs the operator of what is going on in the fire hall so she can tell when the fire truck leaves and which also provides for two way communication between the operators ofiice and the fire hall.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a fire alarm system where in case of fire within the fire hall, the system automatically sounds a fire alarm. This latter arrangement of parts can be extended to include business establishments as well so that a fire in a building not temporarily occupied, as for instance at night, will be detected much sooner than otherwise possible and the alarm given.

An additional feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for operating a counter or teller device which automatically assigns a number to the particular fire. Thus, every fire is identified by a number which goes into the record book and all future reference to or correspondence about a fire is associated with the number. Thus, an accurate record for inspection by suitable ofi'icials can be maintained.

It is within the concept of the invention to adapt the apparatus for opening the door in the fire hall and for starting the motor in the fire truck thereby further expediting the procedure of getting the fire truck under way to the fire and saving valuable time since it is recognized that the early minutes in the fighting of a fire are most important.

The fire alarm system utilized in this invention canbe adapted for use in conjunction with a dial telephone system and can then be called direct and activated the same as when an operator rings the system.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this fire alarm system, a preferred arrangement of the parts being shown in the acompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein Figures 1, 1a, and 1b form a schematic wiring diagram of the various electrical components of the invention.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 10 generally designates a conventional telephone jack which may be mounted on an operators switchboard or any other suitable location and into which a switchboard plug may be readily inserted. When plug is inserted into the jack 10 it closes contacts 12 which in turn operate relay 14 which turns on amplifier 18. After the plug is inserted in jack 10, the operator may start operation of the invention by ringing on either line A or B. With the relay 14 closed, the check-up device 16 located in the fire hall whose input is magnified by an amplifier 18 may be readily heard by the operator. Further, the connections are completed so that the operator may talk into the speaker 130 and through the amplifier 20 to give the location of the fire and other pertinent information. The telephone conversation can be carried on by causing a current to flow either over lines A or B, see Figs. 1 and la, when grounded by causing a current to flow over both lines.

Referring back to the insertion of the plug in jack 10, and Figure 112, an alternating current is made to flow over line A and through relay coil 22 to ground as at 24 energizing contacts 26.

When the contacts 26 are closed, a circuit is completed to the switch contacts 28 of the combination switch 30 which is actuated by a motor 32 and is in the form of a plurality of drums mounted on a shaft and rotated by the motor 32. The switch contacts 28 will remain open however, until the drum of the combination switch 30 has rotated a selected amount thus providing a time lapse or lag in the order of three seconds. When the switch contacts 28 have closed, current will then flow in the transformer 34 on the primary side 36 which creates an output in the secondary 38. This causes relay 40 to be actuated closing the contacts 42 thereof. The result of this action is to cause the motor 32 to make one complete rotation or revolution of the drum of the switch 30 after the relay switch contacts 28 become open. When the switch contacts 48 are in a closed position due to the rotation of the drum, current is caused to flow from the secondary side 38 of the transformer 34 through relay coil 50 causing relay contacts 52 and 54 to close. This in turn causes current to flow though the indicator lamp 56 and also to flow to the coil 58 of a relay actuating contacts 60 and 62 and closing these contacts. This causes the siren 64 to sound. As the drum of the switch 30 rotates switch contacts 48 are opened and closed which causes the siren 64 to sound its fire code which can consist of any desired number of blasts.

When the drum of the switch 30 is rotated, contacts 70 will be closed and current flowing through the secondary 33 of the transformer 34 flows through and activates counter '72. The counter may be of a conventional construction. Further, the coil 74 of locking relay 76 is excited causing the contacts 78 thereof to close and causing the contacts as at 80 to open breaking the circuit to the clock 81, see Fig. 1. This clock only runs when the normally closed contacts 80 are closed. When contacts 78 are closed, the lights 82 in the fire hall be illuminated.

As current flows through the coil 84 of relay 86, contacts 88 are closed causing current to flow from the battery 90 to relay coil 92. Relay 92 is a two minute delay relay and causes its contacts @4 to close after the two minute delay. The action created by the closing of the points 94- will cause current to fiow from magnetic switch 98 through switch arrangement 100. Switch 100 is always left in its closed position except when additional water is not needed. Current flowing through the contacts 102 controlled by relay coil 1% which contacts 102 are closed at the same time as the contacts 88 then flows through the magnetic switch 98 closing contacts 110 and 112. The closing of the contacts 111? and 112 causes current to fiow to the water pump'114.

Current now flowing through relay coil 118 since relay coil 104 is excited closes contacts 12%}, 122 and 124'. The contacts 12% and 122 are direct connections to the telephone lines A and B. The reason for opening and closing this circuit is that when the invention is not in use the telephone lines A and B are disconnected from the arnplifier 20 thus allowing nothing other than relay 22 on the telephone line so that a regular telephone may be used without causing interference with the invention when the invention is in a dormant state.

The contacts 1249 close a circuit for activating the amplifier 20 making it possible for the operators voice to be heard through the speaker 1311.

Fire detectors 1% are located in the fire hall or in other buildings which it is desired for this fire alarm system to protect. These close a circuit from the battery i142 and current now flows in the relay coil 144. Current also fiows through contacts 146 which are now closed. However, as soon as the current reaches the relay coil 144, contacts 146 are opened and are kept open through use of the lock of this type of locking relay. Contacts 148 and 150 are then closed by this operation. The reason contacts 150 are made to remain open is to serve as a protection against the current reaching the current operating relay 144. When the contacts 148 are closed, current flows from the secondary side of the transformer 34 through the relay coil 154, see Fig. 1b, closing contacts 156 which may be in the form of an Off On switch serving as a flasher to flash the red warning light 158.

In the event of an inside fire where fire detectors 140 are located, contacts 150 close the circuit that actuates the present invention and keeps it actuated. These points are closed by the relay coil 144 being excited. When the relay coil 144, is excited, the invention will not stop functioning when the drum of the switch 3% has made a revolution. The reason for this is that when the relay 1441 closes contacts 148 and 150, the locking relay locks them in a closed position so that the invention will continue to function until the relay is unlocked.

The primary purpose for the locking relay coils 160, 84, 162, and 164 is to unlock the locking type relays actuated by coils 74, 104, 11$, and 144. The reason for these relays being locked is to keep the points in a closed position. When the switch contacts 711 are closed they will remain closed only long enough to energize the relay coils 74, 104 and 118.

When switch 13%, see Fig. 1, is closed, current flows from the battery 9d to the relay coils rec, 84, 162 and 164. When this occurs a pull is placed on the hook shown over the contacts which results in the contacts opening and except for contacts 8% and 146 which close.

All of the foregoing phases or activities of the invention function at one time or in one cycle as the drum of the switch 30 makes approximately a fifteen degree turn. In order to complete an operative electrical circuit from the relay 22 to the drum motor 32, the excitation of the relay coil 22 causes the circuit of the contacts 26 to close which causes excitation of relay 1% by current from the battery 90 which in turn closes the contacts 192 to start the motor 32. The motor 32 runs long enough to rotate the drum of the switch 36 approximately fifteen degrees thus closing switch contacts 28 which close the circuit that operates the motor 32 and keeps the circuit closed long enough for the motor to complete one revolution of the switch contacts 28 which then opens the circuit and stops the motor 32.

When switch contacts 194 and 196, Fig. lb, are in the position as shown, the siren circuit is closed and the siren 64 will sound. Further, lamp 198 which may be colored green will indicate that the circuit is closed. The contacts 194, 1% and contacts 200 and 262 comprise a double pole double throw switch. When contacts 264) are closed then contacts 194 and 1% are automatically opened and lamp 2114 is illuminated to indicate that contacts 194 and 1% are open which will prevent siren 64 from sounding. At the same time the lamp 198 is extinguished. Lamp 56 indicates that relay St is in operational condition for testing the device without sounding the siren 64.

Switch is a double pole double throw switch and controls the water pump. When it is desired to shut-off the water pump when not needed, the switch may be thrown from the position as shown in Fig. 1a to an open position. Lamp 2219 which may be colored green is illuminated when the switch 100 is in a closed position while lamp 222, which may be red, is illuminated when the switch is in the other position.

Switch 230 is the supply switch and is a double pole double throw switch. Lamps 232 and 234, which may be colored green and red respectively are provided for indicating that the switch 230 is closed or open.

The drum type switch 30 includes another set of contacts 246 which can be used for rural fire alarms or other alarms for such purposes as drownings and the like. When ringing on the line B, relay 242- has its coil 244 excited closing contacts 246.

When contacts 246 are closed, relay coil 248 is excited closing contacts 250 and 252. When contacts 250 are closed, relay coil 2-54- is excited closing contacts 256 and opening contacts 258. Simultaneously, coil 260 locks contacts 256 in a closed position. When the contacts 258 are open, switch contacts 43 become inoperative and switch contacts 240 remain operative by closing of contacts 256. When contacts 252 are closed, a circuit is completed to the switch contacts 28 which performs as previously outlined permitting the drum of the switch 30 to rotate approximately fifteen degrees.

Fire detectors 149 are used following the code provided by the switch contacts 240, relay coil 260 is activated by the unlocking relay 254- causing the contacts 258 to close and returning the machine to the code controlled by the contacts 28.

Switch 270 is a fire alarm box for sounding a city code over the code switch controlled by the contacts 28. Closing of the fire alarm switch 271 activates relay 248 which closes contacts 250 and 252 performing the function heretofore mentioned.

The drum switch 30 may have as many switch contacts as necessary to take care of special requirement.

The invention can also be started functioning by manually operable switches or fire alarm boxes which are located outside or inside of the fire hall. Either of the fire alarm boxes 2% and 292 is used to close a circuit; current flows from the battery 90 to activate the relay and closes the circuit.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A fire alarm system comprising in combination with a single telephone line, a first switch adapted to be closed when said line is closed, said first switch controlling an operative electrical circuit from a source of electrical power to a motor controlling relay, a motor, said relay controlling operation of said motor, a drum switch, said motor driving the drum of said drum switch, saiddrum switch including a plurality of sets of contacts, a first of said sets of contacts remaining open during the first part of a single revolution of the drum to provide a time lag and when closed maintaining an operative electrical circuit between said source of electrical power and said motor for one revolution of said drum, a second of said sets of contacts being intermittently opened and closed and controlling an operative electrical circuit including an audible alarm control relay, an audible alarm, said audible alarm control relay controlling the connection of said audible alarm to said source of electrical power.

2. A fire alarm system comprising in combination with a single telephone line,'a first switch adapted to be closed when said line is closed, said first switch controlling an operative electrical circuit from a source of electrical power to a motor controlling relay, a motor, said relay controlling operation of said motor, a drum switch, said motor driving the drum of said drum switch, said drum switch including a plurality of sets of contacts, a first of said sets of contacts remaining open for the first portion of a single revolution of the drumto provide a time lag and when closed maintaining an operative electrical circuit between said source of electrical power and said motor for one revolution of said drum, a second of said sets of intermittently opened and closed contacts controlling an operative electrical circuit including an audible alarm control relay, an audible alarm, said audible alarm control relay controlling the connection of said audible alarm to said source of electrical power, an electric clock, a clock relay controlling an operative electrical circuit between said electric clock and said source of electrical power, and a third of said sets of contacts controlling energization of said clock relay.

3. A fire alarm system comprising in combination with a single telephone line of a switchboard having a line switch, a first switch adapted to be closed when said line switch closes said single line, said first switch controlling an operative electrical circuit from a source of electrical power to a motor controlling relay, a motor, said relay controlling operation of said motor, a drum switch, said motor driving the drum of said drum switch, said drum switch including a plurality of sets of contacts, a first of said sets of contacts remaining open for the first portion of a single revolution of the drum to provide a time lag and when closed maintaining an operative electrical circuit between said source of electrical power and said motor for one revolution of said drum, a second of said sets of intermittently opened and closed contacts controlling an operative electrical circuit including an audible alarm control relay, an audible alarm, said audible alarm control relay controlling the connection of said audible alarm to said source of electrical power, an amplifier and pickup device remote from said switchboard, a speaker adjacent said switchboard, an amplifier relay, a secondary source of power, said first switch controlling an operative electrical circuit connecting said amplifier relay to said secondary source of power, said amplifier controlling an operative electrical circuit between said source of electrical power, said amplifier and pickup device, and said speaker.

4. A fire alarm system comprising in combination with a single telephone line of a switchboard having a line switch, a first switch adapted to be closed when said line switch closes said single line, said first switch controlling an operative electrical circuit from a source of electrical power to a motor controlling relay, a motor, said relay controlling operation of said motor, a drum switch, said motor driving the drum of said drum switch, said drum switch including a plurality of sets of contacts, a first of said sets of contacts remaining open for the first portion of a single revolution of the drum to provide a time lag and when closed maintaining an operative electrical circuit between said source of electrical power and said motor for one revolution of said drum, a second of said sets of intermittently opened and closed contacts control ling an operative electrical circuit including an audible alarm control relay, an audible alarm, said audible alarm control relay controlling the connection of said audible alarm to said source of electrical power, an amplifier and pickup device remote from said switchboard, a speaker adjacent said switchboard, an amplifier relay, a secondary source of power, said first switch controlling an operative electrical circuit connecting said amplifier relay to said secondary source of power, said amplifier controlling an operative electrical circuit between said source of electrical power, said amplifier and pickup device, and said speaker, an electric clock, a clock relay controlling an operative electrical circuit between said electric clock and said source of electrical power, and a third of said sets of contacts controlling energization of said clock relay.

5. A fire alarm system comprising in combination with a single telephone line of a switchboard having a line switch, a first switch adapted to be closed when said line switch closes said single line, said first switch controlling an operative electrical circuit from a source of electrical power to a motor controlling relay, a motor, said relay controlling operation of said motor, a drum switch, said motor driving the drum of said drum switch, said drum switch including a plurality of sets of contacts, a first of said sets of contacts remaining open for the first portion of a single revolution of the drum to provide a time lag and when closed maintaining an operative electrical circuit between said source of electrical power and said motor for one revolution of said drum, a second of said sets of intermittently opened and closed contacts controlling an operative electrical circuit including an audible alarm control relay, an audible alarm, said audible alarm control relay controlling the connection of said audible alarm to said source of electrical power, a plurality of fire detection elements remote from said switchboard, said fire detection elements serving to connect said motor to said source of electrical power when actuated.

6. A fire alarm system comprising in combination with a single telephone line of a switchboard having a line switch, a first switch adapted to be closed when said line switch closes said single line, said first switch controlling an operative electrical circuit from a source of electrical power to a motor controlling relay, a motor, said relay controlling operation of said motor, a drum switch, said motor driving the drum of said drum switch, said drum switch including a plurality of sets of contacts, a first of said sets of contacts remaining open for the first portion of a single revolution of the drum to provide a time lag and when closed maintaining an operative electrical circuit between said source of electrical power and said motor for one revolution of said drum, a second of said sets of intermittently opened and closed contacts controlling an operative electrical circuit including an audible alarm control relay, an audible alarm, said audible alarm control relay controlling the connection of said audible alarm to said source of electrical power, a plurality of fire detection elements remote from said switchboard, said fire detection elements serving to connect said motor to said source of electrical power when actuated, an amplifier and pickup device remote from said switchboard, a speaker adjacent said switchboard, an amplifier relay, a secondary source of power, said first switch controlling an operative electrical circuit connecting said amplifier relay to said secondary source of power, said amplifier controlling an operative electrical circuit between said source of electrical power, said amplifier and pickup device, and said speaker.

7. A fire alarm system comprising in combination with a single telephone line of a switchboard having a line switch, a first switch adapted to be closed when said line switch closes said single line, said first switch controlling an operative electrical circuit from a source of electrical power to a motor controlling relay, a motor, said relay controlling operation of said motor, a drum switch, said motor driving the drum of said drum switch, said drum switch including a plurality of sets of contacts, a first of said sets of contacts remaining open for the first portion of a single revolution of the drum to provide a time lag and when closed maintaining an operative electrical circuit between said source of electrical power and said motor for one revolution of said drum, a second of said sets of intermittently opened and closed contacts controlling an operative electrical circuit including an audible alarm control relay, an audible alarm, said audible alarm control relay controlling the connection of said audible alarm to said source of electrical power, a plurality of fire detection elements remote from said switchboard, said fire detection elements serving to connect said motor to said source of electrical power when actuated, an amplifier and pickup device remote from said switchboard, a speaker adjacent said switchboard, an amplifier relay, a secondary source of power, said first switch controlling an operative electrical circuit connecting said amplifier relay to said secondary source of power, said References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS V Mollard Jan. 11, 1927 1,843,991 Smith Feb. 9, 1932 2,147,718 Siddal Feb. 21, 1939 2,279,739 Lurie Apr. 14, 1942 2,331,391 Hague Oct. 12, 1943 2,383,312 Herrick Aug. 21, 1945 2,822,423 Claesson Feb. 4, 1958 

